Composition and characterization of fiber pigments in one brown-fiber cotton cultivar (line) (Gossypium hirsutum L.) ‘Zong 86’ was studied in this research.The fiber pigments were extracted for 15 d by methanol solution (V_MeOH∶V_HCl=99∶1) at room temperature in the dark.The methanol extract was evaporated to dryness and the residue was dissolved in distilled water.The aqueous solution was extracted with ethyl acetate and then the water phase was used to purify pigments by HP-20 macroporous resin separation.The pigment composition and characterization was analyzed by UV absorption spectrum and HPLC method.The results showed that the pigment extract from the brown cotton fibers contained at least four types of anthocyanins.This study indicated that the anthocyanins were one important component of the pigments in brown-colored cotton fibers,which provides the clues and basis for improving fiber-color character of naturally colored cotton.